Former World No 1 Upset 12th seed Bartoli in her first match in two years
Former World No 1 Upset 12th seed Bartoli in her first match in two years
Former world number one Kim Clijsters made a triumphant return to tennis yesterday, defeating France's Marion Bartoli in straight sets in her first match in more than two years.
|
|
SHE DID IT! Former World No 1 Kim Clijsters celebrates after beating Marion Bartoli 6-4, 6-3 in the first round of the Cincinnati Open. PIC/AFP |
Clijsters, who retired in May of 2007 and gave birth to a daughter in February of 2008, defeated 12th-seeded Bartoli 6-4, 6-3.
"I'm really excited playing my first match," said Clijsters, 26, who received a wild card into the draw of the tournament which has been bumped up to WTA premier status.
"I've been training since the start of February, and I've always been focused on Cincinnati. Winning my first match feels good."
The ebullient Belgian advanced to a second-round clash against Switzerland's Patty Schnyder, a 6-4, 6-0 winner over Argentina's Gisela Dulko.
"I thought I started off really well," Clijsters said. "Maybe I surprised myself a little bit with that start. I felt like my movement was good, but it could be better."
Bartoli said it was a tough first round match-up since she had not seen Clijsters play in two years.
